Protection of problem gamblers most important

The Government will retain the current regulatory model that gives Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto a monopoly on the provision of gaming and betting services. No new licensing scheme will be introduced for foreign gaming and betting companies.

“I am proud to present the Government’s white paper on responsible and active gaming and betting policy,” says Minister of Culture Linda Hofstad Helleland. “The white paper represents the first fundamental and integrated review of the gaming and betting sector since 2003. It describes the major developments in the sector in recent years and sets out a positive, forward-looking policy for this area,” says Minister of Culture Linda Hofstad Helleland.

“The white paper describes a comprehensive, robust model for the regulation of gaming and betting that addresses the challenges presented by technological developments,” says the Minister of Culture. “The primary aim is to minimise undesirable gaming and betting behaviour by ensuring that lotteries and gaming and betting services are offered in safe and responsible forms. The Government has concluded that the current model, under which state-owned entities have a monopoly on the provision of most gaming and betting services, is best suited to achieving the aim of responsible service delivery. The proposals will reinforce the monopoly model and the services on offer through several new measures to protect the regulated providers Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto,” says Minister of Culture Linda Hofstad Helleland.

The white paper also gives notice of the Government’s intention to gather relevant gaming, betting, lotteries and totalisator legislation in a single new act. Parallel to preparation of the new act, new regulations will be drawn up on the most important measures to promote responsible gaming and betting. To ensure uniform and foreseeable regulation, the Ministry of Culture will be given overall responsibility for the entire gaming and betting sector.